Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: dino on July 22, 2005, 08:50:04 am

Title: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Again
Post by: dino on July 22, 2005, 08:50:04 am
I will say this calmly in the hope of not starting a flame war, knowing that Wisoki will rectify the situation, but in the hope that this thread is not deleted so that others note the repeated attempts at inflation by Cal Spa dealers(?) he has had to deal with.

Please note that on

7/8 - soon after a number of rating inflation so-called reviews were removed from this board a review of a glorious review of a Cal Spa Hawaiian appeared.  I was suspicious but held my tongue (fingers?) as one review by a dealer is against guidelines but tolerable.  (hey he might have one at home and qualify).

This review was posted by DON CRJA4@EARTHLINK.NET) of eden prairie MN.


7/13 - a review (with syntax and grammer similar to the deleted reviews) was posted by Darin Underwood (sprtsnvt@aol.com) of Indianapolis, IN

OK I still hold my tongue.

now on 7/18 a supplementary review is posted by TIM (CRJA4@EARTHLINK.NET) of eden prairie MN  

Do you think TIM and DON know each other given that they live in the same town and share an email address?

Why is it that Cal Spa dealers go to such great lengths to inflate their ratings???

Thank you in advance Mr Moderator for your attention to these matters.  
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Rayman on July 22, 2005, 09:12:47 am
Why not just IM the moderator with this, I would hate to have my email address put on the board.
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: dino on July 22, 2005, 09:32:01 am
Excuse me maybe I do not understand your point.  The email addresses posted in my message are openly posted on the review cited and so therefore released by the original posters.

Please let me know if I have misunderstood your point.

As to why this is not being done as an IM: This has been a recurring situation and it is my hope that by complaining calmly not only will the issue be resolved by the moderator but that the poster will be publically embarrassed into not repeating his efforts to inflate yet again.

Policing of this continued activity takes my time and I resent the continued efforts of unscupulous Cal Spa dealers to try to mute my opinion as stated in my review (and as repeated by others) with advertising puffery.

If their product can not stand on its own let it die.
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: luigi311 on July 22, 2005, 09:47:55 am
Cal Spas are different than Caldera right?  Caldera has a Hawaiian model also.
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Brewman on July 22, 2005, 09:58:40 am
It is true that Caldera and Cal Spas are not related, are made by different companies.
Brewman
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Mendocino101 on July 22, 2005, 01:06:34 pm
Quote
It is true that Caldera and Cal Spas are not related, are made by different companies.
Brewman


I do think they might be cousins from the same Cal family ....whose family roots trace back to small plumbing village in Calcutta India, .... ;)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Chas on July 22, 2005, 01:18:33 pm
They were both founded by the famous knight of the Chinese Empire -

Bub Ling Wha Tah.

Though some hold to the belief that they were created by the now-famous Frenchman Mssr. Spaaah, who was born without arms or legs. He was know by his friends as "Bob."

He later shortened his name to "Chas."

;)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Brewman on July 22, 2005, 01:34:16 pm
Must be a REALLY slow day at the spa shops!
Brewman
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: hottubber on July 22, 2005, 01:38:00 pm
For those of you who already know and for those of you who need to know, IT's STILL CAL SPAS!
No matter how you slice it, it is still the same piece of """".
Thank you for your time...

hottubber ;D
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: obi wan on July 22, 2005, 01:50:40 pm
i get the distinct feeling you're really trying to tell us something.... ;) ;)
please dont beat around the bush.... tell us how you REALLY feel...... ;D ;D  ::)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: hottubber on July 22, 2005, 02:00:57 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D :P
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: dino on July 29, 2005, 12:30:49 pm
Excuse me Mr. Moderator - but did you possibly miss this thread???
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: wmccall on July 29, 2005, 12:50:59 pm
 ;)
Quote
Excuse me Mr. Moderator - but did you possibly miss this thread???



Yup.

I'll verify that the reviews, which were posted at least a couple of days apart, come from different IP addresses that match the ISP in the email and the location specificed.

(I do have a paying job too ;)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: wmccall on July 29, 2005, 01:13:52 pm
Quote
;)


Yup.

I'll verify that the reviews, which were posted at least a couple of days apart, come from different IP addresses that match the ISP in the email and the location specificed.

(I do have a paying job too ;)



Note, two out of three of the Raven reviews used bogus email addresses.  (One wasn't even a real domain name)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Spatech_tuo on July 29, 2005, 01:24:35 pm
Quote


Note, two out of three of the Raven reviews used bogus email addresses.  (One wasn't even a real domain name)


Whatever you're getting paid for being Moderator, I think it should be doubled!!
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: SDguy on July 29, 2005, 01:44:25 pm
Man you guys are goooooood... ;)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on July 29, 2005, 02:05:53 pm
Good? Or biased.......... Have you also checked every single other review as closely? Or is this simply a vendeta against one paticular brand?

I see it as honerable to try and valadate the reviews, I do the same. But, unless you valadate each and every review on the same basis, I think your doing just as much disservice as doing nothing.
Title: Is it biased for the moderator to respond?
Post by: dino on July 29, 2005, 02:35:38 pm
Dr. I must disagree, the moderator was not policing the reviews but merely reacting to my ploicing of them.  

I am a consumer who chooses to waste his time to keep others from being victimized by this company.  As long as I am doing this independently and not in support of a dealership or competing brand then it is a valid example of consumer activism.  Others are free to police the reviews they choose.

Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Spatech_tuo on July 29, 2005, 02:37:05 pm
Quote
Good? Or biased.......... Have you also checked every single other review as closely?


Damn, I hate it when he's got a good point. If someone notices a discrepancy it should be reviewed as this was but however possible this really should be monitored across the board. I'd have to bet there are some other bogus reviews out there.
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Brewman on July 29, 2005, 02:49:04 pm
Other than spotting the real obvious ones, what more could be done?  
Brewman
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Steve on July 29, 2005, 03:24:53 pm
Quote
Good? Or biased.......... Have you also checked every single other review as closely? Or is this simply a vendeta against one paticular brand?

I see it as honerable to try and valadate the reviews, I do the same. But, unless you valadate each and every review on the same basis, I think your doing just as much disservice as doing nothing.


I agree Doc. It all comes down to manpower and having the time to police it properly I guess. The best case scenario is to have a member such as Dino bring these bogus reviews to light so Bill has a chance to investigate further when he has a chance.

Luckily, there was a positive review on Roberts Hot Tubs but Bill delt with that for me! ;D ;)

Steve
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Forum Admin on July 29, 2005, 03:42:08 pm
Quote
Good? Or biased.......... Have you also checked every single other review as closely? Or is this simply a vendeta against one paticular brand?

I see it as honerable to try and valadate the reviews, I do the same. But, unless you valadate each and every review on the same basis, I think your doing just as much disservice as doing nothing.


I do understand what you are saying. I do try to go through a lot of the reviews, especially newer ones, but its not my highest priority in life.  ;)   I have mentioned to several people, if you see one that is suspect, and it really is a crying shame you have to be suspicious, I will look into it.  You can cut my pay in half for every legit review I kill.
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on July 29, 2005, 03:43:58 pm
Quote


Note, two out of three of the Raven reviews used bogus email addresses.  (One wasn't even a real domain name)


Bill, had I known 8 years ago, what I know today, I would NEVER post my email address (un-encrypted) on the net ( I notice you cant post a review without putting in an email addy) . Currently I, and others at my company, receive about 5000 spam emails a day.

The internet is a place where many want to remain annonomous. Many times, by doing so, people "inhibitions" and fears are loweres any they are more likely to post their true feelings and opinions, withour fear of retrobution.

So, what do ya do? I don't really know. On my reviews I try to push for substance. Frequently reviews of 1 or 2 sentances I delete. I dont feel those type of reviews offer any viable information. Do I have posts from dealer? I'm sure I do, but since I can't PROVE it, I feel they can't be deleted just due to suspititions. And, I do get suspicious when in 3 days 7 reviews get posted about 1 brand.

BUT, I"ve also talked to more than 1 dealer that not only sends their potential customers to read reviews, but also ask customers to post reviews.

You have any idea the number of views the reviews here get? Some of mine have over 3000 views!!!

(yo, Dino, yours has over 2600 views)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Forum Admin on July 29, 2005, 03:44:43 pm
Quote

I'd have to bet there are some other bogus reviews out there.



If someone points them out, I'll look, I think I've clearly shown I don't have an anti-cal bias. If you don't agree  :P  



THIS WAS ME WMCCALL AGAIN, I forgot to log out and back in again. You guys are too much like work.   I have had to delete several bogus reviews lately not just Cal ones right Winsurfdog? (He pointed out a couple to me)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: wmccall on July 29, 2005, 03:49:27 pm
Quote

Bill, had I known 8 years ago, what I know today, I would NEVER post my email address (un-encrypted) on the net ( I notice you cant post a review without putting in an email addy) . Currently I, and others at my company, receive about 5000 spam emails a day.



You are absolutely correct. I did not take that into consideration and probably should have.  Ooops, the reviewer can repost and be made at me  I'm a little jumpy after some of the bogus reviews (all from the same range of IP addresses for users supposedly half a continent apart.)


(Sending today's pay to charity)
Title: Re: Cal Spa Dealers Trying to Inflate Ratings Agai
Post by: Spatech_tuo on July 29, 2005, 04:21:32 pm
Quote


If someone points them out, I'll look, I think I've clearly shown I don't have an anti-cal bias. If you don't agree  :P  



I do give you kudos Bill. I complained last month that one glowing review on this site was from a dealer of that product but that person failed to mention in his review that he sells the product and you quickly rectified that. Unfortunately, most can typically hide their tracks from those of us who have limited access to see/understand where the posting are coming from. I know you do your best and will follow up on those you know/learn to be suspicious.